Wellington targets tech workers

A shortage of skilled workers in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, has prompted the city you launch a new scheme bidding to entice professionals from abroad to fill the gaps in the thriving tech sector.

The scheme, called LookSee, will aim to bring 100 pre-screened IT professionals from around the world to Wellington with the intention of persuading them to stay.

Last week, Wellington Regional Economic and Development Agency (WREDA) spokesman David Jones announced that applications are officially open.

“Applicants will go through a screening process to apply and get selected, all being while they get selected and are invited to actually come to Wellington to see the benefits of living and working here as well as go through a series of interviews with a number of companies.”

He also revealed that flights and accommodation will all be paid for by co-founders WREDA, WorkHere and Immigration New Zealand.

Jones said one news article which appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle has already sparked 400 sign ups.

“In the long term, what our ambitions are is to create that talent through graduates and people retraining here in Wellington, but the demand is now and the supply isn’t there, so we’re trying to bridge that gap,” he added.

Click here to find out more about the LookSee scheme.

Article published 13th February 2017